Remove the triggering device (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: DEFUSE (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Remove the triggering device" with 6 letters is "DEFUSE".Defuse means to deactivate or remove the triggering mechanism of something, such as a bomb or a dangerous situation, to prevent harm or escalation. In a broader sense, it can also refer to calming a tense or potentially explosive situation to avoid conflict or danger.
Why "Defuse" Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning "remove the triggering device." The answer, DEFUSE, fits perfectly:
- Remove the triggering device: Defuse means to safely remove or deactivate the fuse or trigger from an explosive device—exactly matching the clue's definition.
- Direct match: With six letters, defuse fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The word specifically refers to making a bomb or dangerous device safe by eliminating what would set it off.
Defuse is a term rooted in both technical procedure and metaphorical use in language:
Origin and usage:
- Combines "de-" (reverse) with "fuse" (the part of a bomb designed to ignite the explosive), literally meaning "to take the fuse out."
- First used in English in the mid-20th century as advances in bomb disposal became more widely known.
Practical context:
- Used commonly by military, police, and bomb disposal experts.
- Also used figuratively, meaning to reduce tension or danger in a volatile situation (e.g., "defuse an argument").
Examples:
- “The experts were called in to defuse the unexploded device.”
- “She managed to defuse the tense meeting with a joke.”
In quick crosswords like “Remove the triggering device (6),” clues about safety, bombs, or hazards often use the technical term for disarming:
Definition: "Remove the triggering device" directly spells out what it means to defuse.
Clue type: Literal procedural definition.
Solving approach:
- Consider six-letter action verbs relating to deactivation, disarming, or neutralization; only defuse directly refers to both literal and figurative removal of danger and perfectly matches the enumeration.
Crossword pattern: Disarming, neutralizing, or safety-related technical terms (e.g. defuse, disarm, negate) are frequent due to their directness and urgency.
